JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Southeastern Grocers ("the Company") today announced that Anthony Hucker, the Company's Chief Operating Officer, will assume the responsibilities of President and Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis following the resignation of Ian McLeod to take up another opportunity. Mr. Hucker will assume his interim responsibilities effective July 1, 2017, and Mr. McLeod will remain in his current role through June 30, 2017 to assist with the transition.

"We are pleased that Anthony Hucker will be stepping in as President and CEO on an interim basis," the Company said. "As COO, Anthony has a strong familiarity with our business, our stakeholders, our challenges and opportunities, and the strategic direction of the Company. He brings extensive knowledge of the retail grocery sector, with more than 18 years of experience in leadership roles across our industry in the US. Prior to joining Southeastern Grocers as COO, he was President and COO of Schnucks, President of Giant Food and Head of Walmart's Strategy and Business Development division, and spent 10 years as part of the original start up team with Aldi UK. We expect a seamless transition under Anthony's leadership."

"We are also grateful for Ian's stewardship of the business during his tenure," the Company continued. "Under Ian's direction, Southeastern Grocers has made substantial progress on our transformation plan and established great momentum. We wish Ian and his family the best as they embark on a new adventure."

Mr. Hucker said, "It has been a privilege to work with Ian and I wish him all the best. I am humbled and honored that the Company has selected me as the interim President and CEO of Southeastern Grocers. I look forward to working with the rest of the leadership team and representing our outstanding associates as we continue to focus on our strategic transformation and positioning the business for long-term success."

"It has been a difficult decision to leave my role as President and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, but I believe the new position will be a positive opportunity for me and in the best interests my family," said Mr. McLeod. "I want to thank our thousands of loyal and dedicated associates – it's your hard work and dedication that has helped set this company on a path to an even brighter future. I have tremendous confidence in Anthony and the rest of the leadership team and I know that I'm leaving Southeastern Grocers in good hands."

The Company has initiated a search for Mr. McLeod's successor.

About Southeastern Grocers

Southeastern Grocers, LLC, parent company and home of BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is the fifth largest conventional supermarket in the U.S. The company employs nearly 60,000 associates who serve customers in grocery stores, liquor stores and in-store pharmacies throughout the seven southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys and Winn-Dixie are well-known and well-respected regional brands with deep heritages, strong neighborhood ties, proud histories of giving back, talented and loyal associates, and strong commitments to providing the best possible quality and value to customers. For more information, visit www.bi-lo.com, www.frescoymas.com, www.harveyssupermarkets.com and www.winndixie.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements about future events, which involve risks and uncertainties. Generally, the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "will," "could," "may," "plan," "potential," "likely," "goal," "target," "objective," "outlook," "seek" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which statements are not historical in nature. Forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations, based on currently available information and are not guarantees of future events or performance. Our expectations could prove inaccurate as such statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our ability to control or predict, including risks with respect to the occurrence and timing of the resignations and successions described in this press release. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties, or other risks or uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial, materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected. For these reasons, we caution you against relying on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Except as may be required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which they are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.